The simple fact is that it is far, far easier to react to a crisis than to anticipate it, thereby taking early action. So, there you have it, the psychology of Y2K in a nutshell. Even GI's have to act on it, which is why most are waiting for some discernible failure before doing anything about it. The only problem is, you can't react to Y2K. By then its too late.

Owl

-- owl (new@new.com), August 25, 1999

Answers

Reminds me I need more spam and today is a good day for it.

-- rambo (rambo@thewoods.com), August 25, 1999.

I have just recently finished the great majority of my preps. Plenty of loose ends to tie up, of course, but the broad outlines are definitely filled in......

I feel such a great relief it is hard to express.

-- Jon Williamson (jwilliamson003@sprintmail.com), August 25, 1999.

I would call you a lucky bastard, Jon, except that I know you worked very hard to get where you are today.

I hope we can all feel more secure as our preps get more complete in the next few months.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), August 25, 1999.

Fear is a great motivator.

-- TheComet (itComes@doomsday.soon), August 25, 1999.

It'll never be to late for the scumbags to grag their guns and head for the sticks. I heard some of my co-workers hatching a plan to run for the local mountains, and take over whatever place they could find if there is a Y2K collapse.

-- CS Man (csm@smoke.com), August 25, 1999.

The Comet...can you elaborate please : )

Mike

====================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), August 25, 1999.

Owl

I was thinking about anticipation and the elements of thought that it entails a few days ago. Most folks don't seem to have the capacity to anticipate future events from the past events. It would seem to be conditioning that is prevelant in society from immediate gratification. Just like piling on debt means paying it back, prudent lifestyle shifts don't seem justified till the reason slams them where it hurts, the pocket book or their home.

-- Brian (imager@home.com), August 25, 1999.

Hi Brian, yes most don't know how to anticipate a future event, because what is required is a lot of research, but, and here's the trick, original thought to complement that research. In other words, when we are trying to anticipate an event, WE have to arrive at some sort of conclusion. We can't rely on anyone else, because noone will motivate us. WE have to become self-motivated through insight. That's the only way, or pure faith. But insight is better. I suggest that we shouldn't be asking if a company/utility is compliant, but rather, have the performed at least one 'real-time' test. If not, then forget about it.

Owl

-- owl (new@new.com), August 25, 1999.

CS Man,

Tell your co-workers to be sure to pack a shovel. And remind them that the last one alive is responsible for burying the other co-workers. Don't think for a minute that most people won't shoot first and ask questions later. Locals know their house, know their property, know their neighbors. What you should ask your co-workers is, "Do ya feel lucky punks, . . . well, do ya?

-- enough is (enough@enough.com), August 25, 1999.

On the subject of taking action, I also think that we are largely a society of people who keep "shrinking" the circle of area in which we see ourselves as having individual responsibility and some degree of self-determination. Most people expect someone else to take the lead, take care of it, do their job, provide answers, fix our houses, fix our cars, maintain our lawns, grow our food, provide care and educational training for our children, manage our money, police our streets, remove the snow, fix the potholes, find someplace to bury our garbage, etc., etc., etc. If you let yourself even begin to imagine a significant Y2K event, look at all the stuff you have to take care of yourself, all of a sudden. Without a clue how to, for most of us. Just a thought about why I think so many get really hysterically hostile at our discussions about having to fend more for ourselves. Few of us have a clue about how to DO even a part of all of that stuff, let alone all of it... It's been fun learning and trying, but I wasn't in a state of panic because I had a couple of years to work on my plans and a timetable of priorities. Some of these people who are just beginning to wonder if they SHOULD worry, after months of being reassured that they shouldn't, are going to be really scared and really mad at the world for putting all of this in their path to survival, when they thought they were headed someplace else. I am just so thankful that I don't have that to deal with .. I guess it is the silver lining of spending all these months worrying about things, while the DWGI's weren't.

-- Kristi (KsaintA@aol.com), August 25, 1999.

Mike,

Go to: http://www.millenngroup.com/repository/cometary/eclipse_update2.html

-- maggie (aaa@aaa.com), August 25, 1999.

Right on Kristi,bring on the scumbags,more compost for the garden!

-- Daryll (twincrk@hotmail.com), August 25, 1999.

Rambo:

Dont forget the canned salmon in addition to your Spam. Your salmon is your Emperor of canned meats. (appologies to Bill Shakespere)

Godspeed,

-- Pinkrock (aphotonboy@aol.com), August 26, 1999.